On the Yucatán Peninsula, The Reef Coco Beach Resort - All Inclusive sits on Playa del Carmen's white sands, looking out on to Cozumel Island. An hour south of Cancun, this coastal retreat is less than 20 minutes by car from the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and Xcaret Eco Park.

Swimming with dolphins

You can go swimming with dolphins in the Mayan Riviera at Puerto Aventuras, or you could snorkel the Great Maya Reef - the hotel's Reef Marina leads tours. There's free parking if you have a rental car, and you can drive downtown in 5 minutes for shopping and sightseeing.

7 restaurants and bars

With 3 restaurants and 4 bars, you can dine on everything from Mexican cuisine to Italian dishes, and relax at poolside bars with live music, shows, and dance lessons. The Kids' Club offers entertainment and pool-time play, while adults can indulge with massages at Ya'ax Spa.

Private balcony retreats

With furnished private balconies, 202 tropically designed guestrooms open to a Caribbean breeze and lush garden, pool, or ocean views. Rooms welcome you with a minibar, WiFi, and 27-inch flat-screen TVs, and blackout curtains help ensure a good night's sleep.